On Thursday July 4 the UK goes to the polls for the General Election and locally we will vote for who to represent the South Holland and the Deepings constituency in the House of Parliament.
There’s six candidates looking to earn your votes and take the seat that’s been held by Sir John Hayes since 1997.
The Voice asked each candidate for 200 words on why you should vote for them.
Here’s how they responded:
Rhys Baker – Green Party
Rhys Baker, your Green Party candidate for South Holland and The Deepings, brings a wealth of experience in education and local governance.
At 36, he has focused his career on advocating for disadvantaged students and students with Special Educational Needs. He has recently transitioned from a SEND Coordinator role at a grammar school to a more hands-on teaching approach.
As a local councillor and cabinet member for Waste and Environment at South Kesteven District Council, Rhys has led cost-saving initiatives such as installing LED street lights, energy-efficiency upgrades in leisure centres, and advanced recycling programs.
He is a staunch advocate for residents, addressing housing concerns and successfully contesting environmentally detrimental projects.
Rhys’s campaign prioritises, resisting large solar farms and intrusive electricity infrastructure, policies to secure the economic stability of our horticultural sector, and community leisure.
Nationally, he champions full NHS funding, higher minimum wage, abolishing the two-child benefit cap, and robust action on environmental and housing challenges.
Rhys envisions a community where healthcare is accessible, schools excel, and the local economy is strong.
He is a candidate who will never have to choose between constituents and the party whip. Vote Rhys Baker for real hope and real change.
Jack Braginton – Liberal Democrat
We all know that what the Conservatives have done with their time in government is simply not good enough.
The highest tax burden since the war, and what do we have to show for it? NHS waiting lists going up, our economy stagnating, and hard working people still feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis.
The Conservatives have spent more time fighting themselves than fighting for us.
But the Liberal Democrats are a party united in a singular focus: to put our local communities first.
No longer will the people of South Holland and the Deepings pay for bankers’ tax cuts.
No longer will the people of South Holland and the Deepings foot the bill for privatised water companies, like Anglian Water, to illegally dump their filthy sewage in our waterways.
For a revitalised NHS and integrated social care system, for an end to the cost of living crisis, for a party ready to stand up where the Conservatives have let you down.
Only a vote for the Liberal Democrats will give South Holland and the Deepings a local champion willing and able to tackle the big issues our communities face.
John Hayes – Conservative
For over 25 years here in South and Holland and The Deepings I have taken up countless individual cases and championed numerous causes. From my first campaign with Angela Newton for the new Johnson Hospital, to now helping to secure more than £62 million of Conservative Government funding to boost South Holland, I always back local priorities.
In my view politicians shouldn’t just turn up at elections – year-round work counts. Living locally, my family and I use the same roads, shops and public services as those I’ve represented because what’s good for you is good for us.
For our area, the £62 million Government funding to replace the Castle Sports Centre, rejuvenate Spalding and repair local roads is all at risk if Labour favours different priorities. Please vote for me to guarantee our extra funding.
This election is also about who governs Britain. The Conservatives will cap immigration and end income tax for pensioners. Labour will stop plans to cut immigration and tax the state pension. Voting for other candidates just helps Labour win.
I’m humbled by the positive difference I have made to thousands of families, I respectfully ask for your vote to continue my work for you.
Paul Hilliar – Labour
Born and raised in Spalding, and having lived in Surfleet and Weston Hills, I have a deep understanding of our community. Working on a market stall and for an agriculture firm, I’ve seen first-hand the hard work and dedication of our people, yet many still struggle to make ends meet. This is why we need a Labour government. Our area is desperate for change, and I will be that change.
Having spoken to hundreds of voters, I have heard your concerns. My commitments reflect what matters most to you:
* Protect community spaces: I will do all I can to protect and revive our precious spaces, such as the Deeping Leisure Centre.
* Support the Spalding Flower Parade: I will do all I can to ensure it survives and thrives once again.
* Revitalise high streets: By tackling anti-social behaviour and using community right-to-buy schemes for empty shops.
* Restore the NHS: Providing 40,000 more appointments weekly and a new dentistry rescue plan.
* Back British farming: Reducing red tape and ensuring 50 per cent of public sector food is British-made.
* Protect our environment: Introducing a land-use framework to balance food and energy production.
Together, we can create a brighter future for South Holland and the Deepings.
Mark Le Sage – Independent
I have lived in South Holland all my life. Over the last 20 years I have mostly been a single parent, I understand the complexity of working and looking after a family. I already support families and single parents in SH&TD through my charity work with Ella’s project.
I have been working locally as a nurse for ten years and I have been a local councillor for the last year.
I will:
* Help to reduce excessive Conservative NHS waiting lists
* Campaign for better access to GPs and dentists
* Insist money meant for South Holland and The Deepings doesn’t end up in Lincoln (Spalding relief road)
* Improve safety and ASB in our towns
* Campaign for tighter control on immigration
* Do all I can to help with the Conservative cost of living crisis
* Fight against all disruptive and unnecessary quarries, solar farms and pylon projects
* Insist on better funding for our local councils
As an Independent I can always act in the best interest of our area and not toe the party line. I have always lived in the area; your problems are the same as my problems, please don’t split the vote.
Vote for your local Independent candidate, vote Mark Le Sage.
Matthew Swainson – Reform
Having led local and national chapters of Round Table (young Rotarians) when I lived overseas, I understand the demands and satisfaction of public service.
I never harboured any political ambitions, but I have become so dismayed with the state of politics and politicians in the UK lately that I could no longer stand by and watch as our country gets wrecked by career politicians, who gaily promise us the earth at election time, only to break those promises for the following five years.
I believe that government has become far too large in the UK, and that too often it seeks to control and dictate our lives, rather than securing the foundations like education, borders, healthcare, defence, and law and order, so the people can thrive in freedom.
At the same time, governments have consistently allowed large multinationals to generate enormous profits, while passing on to the taxpayer (you and me) the costs of underpaying their staff, polluting the environment, and all too often committing giant fraud (financial crisis, PPE scandal) which goes unpunished.
The country is in crisis. Will you join me in saving it?
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